SHELBY — Bobby Rogers unraveled the newspaper in front of him. The edges, tattered and torn, dropped remnants of dust on the patio table.

The Shelby native went through the pages.

Rogers was 10 years old at the time of the newspaper's publication.

“I remember this paper as a kid,” he said.

His finger pointed to the portrait shots of those featured in the “Prominent Business and Professional Men of Cleveland County.”

He saw a familiar face, his father, R.H. Rogers, a former Ford/Lincoln dealer in town.

“I think about the memories, and in most cases they’re good,” he said. “I knew about everyone featured in the articles.”

The pages celebrated the centennial birthday of Cleveland County depicted by The Star. The newspaper was called The Shelby Daily Star at the time of the 1940 publication.

A news brief detailed how the Confederate soldier statue on the historic court square arrived in Shelby: with the help of 10 mules.

Where we’ve been and where we’re going

The newspaper found its way into the hands of Shelby Mayor Stan Anthony. His uncle, Gene, collects antiques.

Anthony said his uncle gave him the newspaper as a congratulatory gift when he became mayor in 2011.

Stories and tidbits filled the newspaper’s many sections, from the mail-delivery system’s start in 1911 to a detailed biography of John Alston and Oliver S. Anthony, brothers and co-owners of a local real estate and insurance company.

A photograph showed the band of Shelby High School posing for a picture where the Cleveland County Schools System Administration Office sits.

“This is before my time, but interesting to see,” Anthony said.

Rogers told snippets of life stories from the many faces his eyes looked over on the folded pages. A photo showed the outside of the Rogers Theatre where a crowd of men and woman waited for the premiere of “Gone with the Wind.” Rogers' father built the establishment. An advertisement from Efrid’s Department Store congratulated the county on its milestone.

Rogers couldn’t pinpoint a favorite section inside the publication.

“The whole thing is,” he said.

He gazed on the faces of people he knew. He remembered stories of buildings and businesses strolled past as a child. One lit up the wall in his house, a neon sign reading “Bobby’s Music Shop,” which he owned for about 60 years.

It’s an edition of the newspaper no one should pass up reading, Rogers said.

“There are a lot of good memories. Anyone interested in the county, where it’s been and where it’s going," he said. "Read it for its historical value."

As for the newspaper, where it will end up is still in limbo. Anthony said either he can keep it or have it put on display for all to see in Shelby City Hall.